Brasiliopuntia brasiliensis (Prickly Pear Cactus, Brazilian Prickly Pear)
Botanical Information
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Genus | Brasiliopuntia |
| Species | brasiliensis |
| Synonyms | Opuntia brasiliensis, Opuntia bahiensis, Brasiliopuntia bahiensis, Opuntia schulzii, Brasiliopuntia schulzii. |
| Category | Perennials, Tropicals |
| Origin | Native to Southern South America. |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 10a - 11 |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | Requires cold season protection under glass. |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Zone | H3 - H1c |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Height | 12 - 18 m |
| Spread | 2.4 - 5 m |
| Growth | Slow |
| Flowering Period | June, July, August, September, October, November |
Description and Growing Information
| Propagation | By cuttings and stem layering. |
| Notable Specimens | Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida, United States of America. |
| Habitat | Rocky areas including inland cliffs, mountain peaks and dry marine coastal regions. |
| Leaf Description | Leaves are Irregularly ovate; small fleshy, areoles with brown glochids with 0 to 3 spines being up to 1.5 cm long. They turn into pads by the second year then the leaves tend to hang like pendants from long canes. |
| Flower Description | Small bright yellow blooms, 2.5 up to 5 cm in diameter, they are numerous on older second year and older growth. |
| Fruit Description | Showy, round with large clusters of brown areoles and may be red, orange, yellow or purple in colour. |
| Texture Description | Plant has spines. |
Photographs
Brasiliopuntia brasiliensis, form, Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida, United States of America.
Brasiliopuntia brasiliensis, leaf, Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida, United States of America.